Tennant Releases Early Voting Totals For Special US Senate Primary

Charleston, W.Va. – West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant released preliminary early voting totals for the special United States Senate primary election today.

According to the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS) maintained by county clerks and the Secretary of State, about 30,579 people cast a ballot during the five-day early voting period.

The early voting period began on August 20 and ended on August 25. There was no early voting on Sunday, August 22. At least three counties in West Virginia were still entering early voting data on Thursday afternoon, the day after early voting ended.

By comparison, during the 15-day early voting period for the May primary, about 40,557 people voted early.

On the first two days of early voting for this special United States Senate primary about 7,240 people voted early. That easily surpassed the first two days of early voting in the May primary, when only 3,697 people cast a ballot.

The heavy early voting turnout followed an increase in voter registration. About 6,400 people registered to vote from June 28 to August 9 deadline. By comparison, only about 5,800 people registered to vote in that same time period in 2008 - a presidential election year.

Click here to see the special primary early voting totals broken down by party.

Click here to see the special primary early voting totals broken down by county.

Click here to see the May primary early voting totals broken down by county.

Saturday, August 28 is the day of the special primary. Polls will be open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

The special election is being held to fill the unexpired United States Senate term left vacant following the death of Senator Robert Byrd. Byrd died on June 28 after more than 50 years of service in Congress.